COpilot | COpilot

Kent Willmann

Who are you?

Kent Willmann spent 31 years preparing young citizens by teaching high school social studies in 3 St Vrain High Schools, Frederick, Longmont and Silver Creek. Currently, he works at the University of Colorado training the next generation of social studies teachers to take his job and pay his PERA. He conducts professional development for practicing teachers on using all kinds of media in the classroom. He is co-directory of the Boulder County Latino History Project Summer Teacher Workshop. He is also the curriculum writer and trainer for The Colorado Municipal Leagues’, Lessons on Local Government and is program director of Doing Democracy Day - a one day local government experience for St. Vrain high school students and local leaders.

What led you to education?

My teachers led me to education. They provided encouragement and exploratory teaching opportunities in high school. Teaching was the way out for the son of two factory workers.

What do you have a knack for? How did you find that out?

Using art, music, film and other media in the classroom. Not making it mind you. Using it to teach.

What are you passionate about personally? What do you really enjoy? What can’t you stop talking about?

NCAA Hoops - Here is hoping the Buffs have a great season -- sometime soon.

Kayaking with my wife, playing poker, riding my bike making pictures of abandoned couches and visiting my kids.

What would be impossible for you to give up?

You mean besides beer? Colorado sunshine.

Become a COpilot class facilitator!

Are you wondering what that little paper airplane on some facilitator photos means? Are you interested in teaching other teachers content and strategies that actually work? Do you want to be a leader in your Association? Would you like to make some extra money?

If you answered "Yes!" to any of these questions, then you should definitely consider becoming a COpilot class facilitator. The best part about facilitating classes to other educators on COpilot is learning with people from all over Colorado who are just like you. Every COpilot class gives you and other educators a chance to learn instructional and leadership strategies that truly make a difference in students' lives!

Facilitating classes on COpilot can definitely be intimidating, but the good news is that CEA supports you every step of the way. The process to become a facilitator, set up a class, and get to teaching is actually pretty easy. Just take a look at this short list:

Contact Casey Kilpatrick, the Director of Learning Services at the Colorado Education Association, and express your interest in facilitating a class.
Casey will arrange a time to meet with you via Zoom to discuss what you'd like to teach. We are always looking for new classes, so no topic is really out of bounds!
After the meeting, you'll need to fill out a syllabus so CEA can get the class approved for credit (we'll give you a template).
Once Casey receives the completed syllabus, he'll arrange another meeting to set up your class shell and walk you through the COpilot Learning Management System (LMS).
You'll then have the chance to build your class and get feedback from CEA about the process.
Once your class finishes, CEA will pay you for the number of students who completed your class (for more information about payment rates, please contact Casey Kilpatrick at CEA)

That's really all there is to it. CEA will take care of all the technical support, marketing, credit approval, evaluations, and other questions that come up. All you really need to do is work with amazing educators on a topic that fits your passions.

Now...what about that paper airplane?

Facilitators who earn that airplane means they are WINGS certified. All of those awesome Colorado educators have taken a rigorous, 30-hour, two graduate credit class all about online learning and facilitation. WINGS certified facilitators make more money per student who completes a class and have special recognition across the Association. To become a WINGS certified facilitator, you first must facilitate a class at the base level. You then need to complete the WINGS COpilot Proficiency Program that is offered every spring. Please contact Casey Kilpatrick at CEA for more information.